Patents by Inventor David Anthony Arnold

David Anthony Arnold has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9970567
    Abstract: Fluid valve actuator apparatus having internal tubing and anti-rotation features are disclosed. An example actuator apparatus includes a diaphragm plate defining a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber opposite the first pressure chamber, a first internal fluid passageway in fluid communication with atmosphere, and a second internal fluid passageway to receive a control fluid from a controller. The example apparatus also includes a tube fluidly coupling the first or second internal fluid passageway to the first pressure chamber via an opening in the diaphragm plate, where a first center axis of the tube is offset from a second center axis of the diaphragm plate, and where the tube passing through the diaphragm plate is to prevent the diaphragm plate from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, Daniel Martin Adams
  • Patent number: 9874292
    Abstract: Diaphragm actuators having adjustable actuation force are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a spring seat coupled to a diaphragm of an actuator. The spring seat is to contact a spring and is to be coupled to a stem. The diaphragm is to displace the stem based on a force provided to the diaphragm, and the stem is to control a fluid valve. The example apparatus also includes an adjuster to adjust an amount of force provided to the spring seat by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, Daniel Martin Adams
  • Publication number: 20170002952
    Abstract: Fluid valve actuator apparatus having internal tubing and anti-rotation features are disclosed. An example actuator apparatus includes a diaphragm plate defining a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber opposite the first pressure chamber, a first internal fluid passageway in fluid communication with atmosphere, and a second internal fluid passageway to receive a control fluid from a controller. The example apparatus also includes a tube fluidly coupling the first or second internal fluid passageway to the first pressure chamber via an opening in the diaphragm plate, where a first center axis of the tube is offset from a second center axis of the diaphragm plate, and where the tube passing through the diaphragm plate is to prevent the diaphragm plate from rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, Daniel Martin Adams
  • Patent number: 9458947
    Abstract: Fluid valve actuator apparatus having internal tubing and anti-rotation features are disclosed. An example actuator apparatus includes an actuator casing and a diaphragm plate disposed within the actuator casing. The diaphragm plate defines a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber opposite the first pressure chamber. A yoke couples the actuator casing to a fluid valve. The yoke includes a first internal fluid passageway in fluid communication with atmosphere and a second internal fluid passageway to receive a control fluid from a controller. A tube fluidly couples the first or second internal fluid passageway to the first pressure chamber via an opening in the diaphragm plate. The tube also prevents the diaphragm plate from rotating relative to the actuator casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, Daniel Martin Adams
  • Publication number: 20150260306
    Abstract: Diaphragm actuators having adjustable actuation force are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a spring seat coupled to a diaphragm of an actuator. The spring seat is to contact a spring and is to be coupled to a stem. The diaphragm is to displace the stem based on a force provided to the diaphragm, and the stem is to control a fluid valve. The example apparatus also includes an adjuster to adjust an amount of force provided to the spring seat by the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, Daniel Martin Adams
  • Publication number: 20150240965
    Abstract: Fluid valve actuator apparatus having internal tubing and anti-rotation features are disclosed. An example actuator apparatus includes an actuator casing and a diaphragm plate disposed within the actuator casing. The diaphragm plate defines a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber opposite the first pressure chamber. A yoke couples the actuator casing to a fluid valve. The yoke includes a first internal fluid passageway in fluid communication with atmosphere and a second internal fluid passageway to receive a control fluid from a controller. A tube fluidly couples the first or second internal fluid passageway to the first pressure chamber via an opening in the diaphragm plate. The tube also prevents the diaphragm plate from rotating relative to the actuator casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, Daniel Martin Adams
  • Patent number: 9103453
    Abstract: A valve shaft apparatus with a rotary valve includes a shaft having a first portion in an opening of a valve body and a second portion in a cavity of a closure member. A first seal is coupled to the first portion to prevent fluid leakage into the opening of the valve body, where the first seal defines a first leakage detection area. A second seal is coupled to the second portion to prevent fluid leakage into the cavity, the second seal is to define a second leakage detection area. A passageway in the shaft is fluidly coupled to the first and second leakage detection areas to provide an indication of fluid leakage past the first seal in the opening or to detect fluid leakage past the second seal in the cavity. The passageway is in fluid communication with a shaft outlet formed in an end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm
  • Patent number: 8794589
    Abstract: Actuators having override apparatus are described herein. An example actuator having an override apparatus includes a first actuator stem coupled to a control actuation member. The override apparatus is operatively coupled to the actuator. A spring is coupled to an override member to move the first actuator stem to a predetermined position in response to an override condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm, Michael Wildie McCarty
  • Publication number: 20140131608
    Abstract: An example valve shaft apparatus for use with a rotary valve disclosed herein includes a shaft having a first portion to be positioned in an opening of a valve body and a second portion to be positioned in a cavity of a closure member. A first seal is coupled to the first portion of the shaft to prevent fluid leakage into the opening of the valve body, where the first seal defines a first leakage detection area adjacent the first seal. A second seal is coupled to the second portion to prevent fluid leakage into the cavity of the closure member, where the first seal is spaced from the second seal and the second seal is to define a second leakage detection area adjacent the second seal. A passageway is formed in the shaft and fluidly coupled to the first and second leakage detection areas to provide an indication of fluid leakage past the first seal in the opening or to detect fluid leakage past the second seal in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm
  • Patent number: 8662099
    Abstract: An example valve shaft apparatus includes a shaft having a stationary seal and a dynamic seal spaced from the stationary seal. The stationary seal defines a first leakage detection area adjacent the stationary seal and the dynamic seal defines a second leakage detection area adjacent the dynamic seal. A seal leakage detector is integrally formed with the shaft to provide a visual indication of process fluid leakage within the first leakage detection area or within the second leakage detection area. The seal leakage detector has a passageway in fluid communication with the first leakage detection area and the second leakage detection area. The passageway has a cross-sectional profile that changes between the first and second leakage detection areas to prevent fluid from flowing from one of the leakage detection areas into a body of the fluid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm
  • Patent number: 8549984
    Abstract: Apparatus to increase a force of an actuator having an override apparatus are described herein. An example fluid control system includes a first fluid control apparatus to fluidly couple a control fluid supply source to a control actuator via a first passageway. The control fluid supply source provides a control fluid to move a control actuator member of the control actuator in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction when the control actuator is in the operational state. A second fluid control apparatus is in fluid communication with the first fluid control apparatus and is configured to fluidly couple an override actuator to the control actuator via a second passageway when the control actuator is in a non-operational state. The override actuator is operatively coupled to the control actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventor: David Anthony Arnold
  • Patent number: 8544820
    Abstract: Biasing apparatus for use with actuators are described. A biasing apparatus for use with a piston actuator includes a first sleeve at least partially surrounded by and movably coupled to a second sleeve. Additionally, the biasing apparatus includes a stop to limit an amount of movement of the first sleeve relative to the second sleeve and a biasing element positioned between first and second ends of the respective first and second sleeves to urge the first sleeve away from the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Douglas P. Gethmann, David George Halm, David Anthony Arnold
  • Publication number: 20110260086
    Abstract: Valve shaft apparatus are described herein. An example valve shaft apparatus includes a shaft having a stationary seal and a dynamic seal spaced from the stationary seal. The stationary seal defines a first leakage detection area adjacent the stationary seal and the dynamic seal defines a second leakage detection area adjacent the dynamic seal. A seal leakage detector is integrally formed with the shaft to provide a visual indication of process fluid leakage within the first leakage detection area or within the second leakage detection area. The seal leakage detector has a passageway in fluid communication with the first leakage detection area and the second leakage detection area. The passageway has a cross-sectional profile that changes between the first and second leakage detection areas to prevent fluid from flowing from one of the leakage detection areas into a body of the fluid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm
  • Publication number: 20110155937
    Abstract: Apparatus to increase a force of an actuator having an override apparatus are described herein. An example fluid control system includes a first fluid control apparatus to fluidly couple a control fluid supply source to a control actuator via a first passageway. The control fluid supply source provides a control fluid to move a control actuator member of the control actuator in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction when the control actuator is in the operational state. A second fluid control apparatus is in fluid communication with the first fluid control apparatus and is configured to fluidly couple an override actuator to the control actuator via a second passageway when the control actuator is in a non-operational state. The override actuator is operatively coupled to the control actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: David Anthony Arnold
  • Publication number: 20100327207
    Abstract: Biasing apparatus for use with actuators are described. A biasing apparatus for use with a piston actuator includes a first sleeve at least partially surrounded by and movably coupled to a second sleeve. Additionally, the biasing apparatus includes a stop to limit an amount of movement of the first sleeve relative to the second sleeve and a biasing element positioned between first and second ends of the respective first and second sleeves to urge the first sleeve away from the second sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas P. Gethmann, David George Halm, David Anthony Arnold
  • Publication number: 20100187454
    Abstract: Actuators having override apparatus are described herein. An example actuator having an override apparatus includes a first actuator stem coupled to a control actuation member. The override apparatus is operatively coupled to the actuator. A spring is coupled to an override member to move the first actuator stem to a predetermined position in response to an override condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm, Michael Wildie McCarty